The Columbus Blue Jackets are doubling down on a familiar formula: trust in those who know the organization from the inside out. On Tuesday, the team announced the promotions of two franchise staples-Chris Clark to assistant general manager and Rick Nash to director of player personnel and development. Both moves signal a continued investment in leadership that blends on-ice experience with front-office acumen.
These promotions come under the watch of Don Waddell, the club’s President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, who’s been reshaping the Blue Jackets’ hockey operations structure since taking the reins. With the recent addition of Laurence Gilman as Vice President of Hockey Operations in January, Waddell now has a trio of trusted lieutenants-Clark, Nash, and Gilman-reporting directly to him as the organization looks to build a more competitive, sustainable future.
Let’s start with Clark, who’s been steadily climbing the ranks in Columbus since hanging up his skates. At 49, he brings a wealth of experience from both the NHL and AHL levels.
Since 2019, he’s served as the Blue Jackets’ director of player personnel and general manager of their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. His fingerprints are all over the development pipeline, having also spent seven years prior as a development coach and director of player personnel.
Clark’s playing days in Columbus were brief-just 89 games after being acquired from the Capitals in 2010-but impactful. He chipped in eight goals and 12 assists before retiring in 2011.
Since then, he’s carved out a reputation as a sharp evaluator of talent and a steady hand in player development. His work extended beyond Columbus, too-he served as general manager for the U.S.
Men’s National Team at the 2023 IIHF World Championships in Finland, further solidifying his credentials on the international stage.
Rick Nash’s elevation is just as significant, both symbolically and operationally. At 41, Nash remains the face of the franchise in many ways. The former captain and 2002 first-overall pick is still the Blue Jackets’ all-time leader in goals (289) and points (547), and his No. 61 jersey has been hanging in the rafters since 2022-the first number ever retired by the club.
Since retiring, Nash has been methodical in his transition to the front office. He joined the hockey operations department in 2019 as special assistant to the GM, and by 2021, he was leading the club’s player development efforts.
In 2024, he stepped into the director of hockey operations role, gaining a broader view of the organization’s internal workings. Now, as director of player personnel and development, he’ll have a direct hand in shaping the next generation of Blue Jackets talent.
What makes these promotions particularly compelling is the shared history both Clark and Nash have with the organization-not just as players, but as leaders who’ve grown into their roles over time. They understand the culture, the market, and the expectations in Columbus, and they’ve earned the trust of Waddell to help guide the franchise forward.
It’s not just about nostalgia or loyalty here-it’s about continuity and vision. With Clark’s deep roots in player development and Nash’s evolving executive presence, the Blue Jackets are leaning on two former players who know what it takes to succeed in Columbus and are committed to building something lasting.
These aren’t ceremonial titles. They’re strategic moves that reflect a franchise looking to turn the page with people who’ve lived the story from the beginning.